Economic growth can be reported in a number of different ways. Annual growth, quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year are terms that are commonly used in the context of gross domestic product (GDP). What do these terms mean? In preparation for Stats SA’s next release of GDP data on 6 December, this article explores the different ways in   read more »

Media release                                                                                                  24 November 2016 Financial statistics of consolidated general government, 2014/2015 The Financial statistics of consolidated general government, 2014/2015 report released by Statistics South Africa today shows that South Africa’s consolidated general government had a total income of R1,2 trillion from operating activities in the fiscal year ended 31 March 2015. This was R107,1   read more »

Media release                                                                                                  24 November 2016 Annual financial statistics, 2015  The total annual turnover of private sector businesses operating in the South African economy[1] increased by 5,5% between 2014 and 2015, from a revised R7,8 trillion in 2014 to an estimated R8,3 trillion in 2015, according to the latest Annual financial statistics, 2015 report released by   read more »

How well have South African businesses performed? This can be a complicated question that can be tackled with a range of indicators. From the wealth of financial data available from the recently published Quarterly Financial Statistics (QFS), Stats SA takes a look at one such indicator: the profit margin ratio.   A limitation of financial   read more »

29 June 2016 Financial census of municipalities for the year ended June 2015   According to the Financial Census of Municipalities results released by Statistics South Africa today, for the financial year ended 30 June 2015, municipalities across South Africa had received an income of R309 billion from all sources of income, this represented an   read more »

Finding a home in a big pond It is often said that small businesses hold the key to economic growth. Recently released data paint an interesting picture of where small businesses are making a substantial contribution to economic activity. Stats SA’s latest Quarterly financial statistics reports that the private sector earned a total of R2,1   read more »

Media Release                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  26 February 2016 Education report focusing on the Eastern Cape The Eastern Cape has the second highest percentage of learners in the country that did not pay school fees (81%) in 2013 whereas Limpopo has the highest with 91,0%. This is significantly higher than the national average (62,4%).In 2013, 87,2% learners attended   read more »

Stats SA’s latest Quarterly Financial Statistics report provides detailed financial statistics on the private sector, for the quarter ending September 2015. How did business turnover fare over this period? The following short article covers key turnover statistics from the report. Total turnover Total turnover in the private sector increased by 3,3% in the September 2015   read more »

Hotel occupancy fell to 48,2% in June 2015, according to preliminary figures in Stats SA’s latest Tourist accommodation release. The hotel occupancy rate followed a seasonal pattern by falling in June after peaking in both October (62,4%) and February (60,6%)1. However, hotels had proportionally fewer rooms filled in June compared with the same month in   read more »

In April 2015 the acting CEO of Eskom suggested that in order to improve Eskom’s financial situation, that the utility bypass municipalities and supply all customers directly with electricity. How would municipalities be affected if this proposal is adopted? Acting as middle-men, municipalities buy electricity from Eskom in bulk and then re-sell the power to   read more »